Latin America & the Caribbean

Electives in Peru for Dental Students

Role: To gain experience from local staff and add to your previous dentistry training

Requirements: You must be a student studying dentistry and speak intermediate Spanish. If you are not a student, please go to our standard Dentistry in Peru page

Types of Placement: Public health centers

Accommodation: Host family

Length of placement: From 2 weeks

Start dates: Flexible

Students on Dentistry Elective placements in Peru are based in public health centers in Cuzco. These centers have busy dental clinics and provide lots of opportunities for observing treatments. Peru is a developing country, so the facilities are basic, but you can still learn a lot about how dentistry is performed in another part of the world.

You must be a dental student to do an Elective placement. Projects Abroad will ensure your placement fulfills the requirements of your elective by organizing with your university if needed. Our experienced in-country staff will help with any inquiries and pre-departure paperwork. In Peru you will be assigned a qualified Dentist as your dedicated supervisor. They will mentor you throughout your stay. They will be available to discuss any specific cases with you and answer your questions.

As an elective student your role will be mainly observational. You will shadow dentists and other dental staff throughout their day. Make sure you take notes on any specific cases and procedures to discuss with your supervisor. You will experience routine dental work including extractions, fillings and caps as well as preventative dentistry.

Dental Student Electives in Peru with Projects Abroad

By showing initiative and enthusiasm, you may be able to support the dentistry staff with their duties. Students who become a valued member of the team and who have a pro-active approach will get a great deal out of the program. For example, previous interns have helped run dental health workshops in the local community.

For all Dentistry placements in Peru, you are required to speak at least intermediate Spanish.

During your time in Peru, you will stay with one of our local host families. Here you will have the opportunity to experience the warm hospitality of the Peruvian people. You will also be able to really improve your Spanish speaking skills. On your time off you will be able to explore the delights of Cuzco and the surrounding region with our volunteer community.

Dental Student Electives in Peru are available for shorter periods than 4 weeks. While you will be able to gain valuable medical experience on a short-term trip, we recommend staying for a longer period to allow yourself more time to get to know the local medical system, see more of a variety of conditions and procedures, and develop stronger relationships with local medical staff.

All volunteers participating on standard projects in Peru have the opportunity to spend one week on a Conservation & Environment project at the end of their main placement. For more information, please visit our Rainforest Conservation & Environment Project in Peru page. Our Combinations Page explains how you can combine not only projects, but also destinations.